Weapons confiscated by MPD

Catherine Dominguez

Published 6:00 pm, Sunday, November 9, 2003

Situated at the intersection of FM 149 and Texas 105, the city is no larger than four square miles with a population of about 500 people. However, police officers find themselves busy fighting the war on drugs and confiscating a wide range of illegal weapons on a daily basis.

Montgomery Sgt. Stewart Hightower said a recent traffic stop for a minor traffic violation turned into a tip that led to the arrest of a local teenage who was dealing marijuana. Hightower seized a several ounces of drugs, more than $300 and the boy's pick up truck.

"I find stuff like that all the time," he said. "If you can interview people and you are absolutely up front with them, you would be amazed at what they will tell you."

Hightower said the key to being successful in seizing the weapons and drugs is just talking with people.

"It's like they want to tell you to get it off their chest," he said. "Talk to them. See what their story is. Don't just write a ticket, anyone can do that."

Mayor Mary Sue Timmerman said the officers experience is a great asset to the city.

"That's the benefit to having seasoned officers," she said. "It's not just intuition, it's based on experience and all the things they learn over the years."

Montgomery Police Officers have not only confiscated a wide variety of narcotics but many different types of guns as well. Hightower said the department has seized machine guns, AK-47s and switchblades.

According to the Texas Weapons Laws, carrying a prohibited weapon is a Class A misdemeanor and can carry a penalty of up to a year in jail and/or a fine not to exceed $4,000.

Hightower said most of the people the department deals with are not residents of the city but those just driving through the town.

"Very seldom do I get anyone from here in Montgomery," he said. "That's a good thing.

Timmerman echoed Hightower and said the city is having to cope with serious issues.

"I am always surprised to see the guns," Timmerman said. "I'm constantly surprised about the drugs."

Timmerman said although the police department is small, it is doing well keeping up with the serious issues.

"I think the police are doing a great job," she said. "I think one on the problem Montgomery has faced for a while, and it's not going to get any better, is we are seeing the problems of a large metropolitan area and we are trying to deal with them with limited resources."

The police department has a budget of about $400,000.

"We are facing growth," she said. "A lot of people in Montgomery are not excited about it. But whether we are excited about it or not, what it is going to give us is the opportunity to broaden the tax base."

Raising taxes, Timmerman said, is not the answer but more "rooftops" and more sales tax could provide more dollars to deal with the problems.

Timmerman said the department does apply for grants but said often they are matching grants and often times there is no budget for it.

"I know they are constantly watching for grants," she said. "I know I am."

Despite the issues on the main streets, Timmerman said the small town is a very safe place to be.

"It's not the people who live in town," she said. "I have not heard of any major problems at any residences. That's not the kind of issues we have."

Timmerman said the town has gone from the "Mayberry" attitude to knowing it is a growing area with bigger problems.

"It's kind of sad," she said. "But it is better if we all recognize it.